The Last Leaf Class 9 Notes: CBSE English Moments Chapter 7

About the Author:

William Sydney Porter (September 11, 1862 – June 5, 1910), better known as O. Henry, was an American writer famous for his short stories, such as "The Gift of the Magi" and "The Ransom of Red Chief," noted for their witty narration and surprise endings. Born in Greensboro, North Carolina, he became a licensed pharmacist before moving to Texas, where he began writing while working various jobs. He served a prison sentence from 1898 to 1901 for embezzlement, during which he wrote under pseudonyms, including O. Henry. After his release, he moved to New York City, where he penned 381 stories. Despite his declining health, his works earned him lasting fame, commemorated by the annual O. Henry Award for outstanding short stories.

Synopsis of The Last Leaf:

In "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry, Johnsy, battling pneumonia, fixates on an ivy plant, believing she'll die when its last leaf falls. Behrman, an elderly artist, paints a leaf during a storm to give her hope. Despite Behrman's sacrifice, Johnsy finds renewed strength, illustrating the resilience sparked by compassion and art.

The Theme of The Last Leaf Notes:

The theme of "The Last Leaf" by O. Henry centres on hope, self-sacrifice, and the transformative power of art. It illustrates how Johnsy's renewed will to live is inspired by a seemingly indomitable leaf, which turns out to be a selfless act of art by the elderly artist Behrman, who sacrifices his life to paint it during a storm. The story highlights the profound impact that hope and compassion can have on a person's life, demonstrating how art and selflessness can inspire strength and healing.

Character Sketch for The Last Leaf:

• Johnsy: A young artist battling pneumonia, Johnsy is consumed by despair, believing her fate hinges on the ivy's last leaf. Her journey from hopelessness to renewed vigour reflects her resilience and the transformative power of hope.

• Sue: Johnsy's roommate and fellow artist, Sue is devoted and practical, trying to uplift Johnsy's spirits amid illness. She seeks help from Behrman, showing her caring nature and determination to save her friend.

• Behrman: An elderly artist living downstairs, Behrman is gruff yet compassionate. Moved by Johnsy's plight, he sacrifices his health to paint the leaf, symbolizing his deep empathy and belief in the healing power of art.

Class 9 English The Last Leaf Summary:

• Johnsy and Sue, two young artists living together in a small flat, face a crisis when Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia in November. 

• Johnsy becomes convinced she will die soon, despite Sue's efforts and the doctor's advice for a positive mindset.

• As Johnsy's condition worsens, she becomes obsessed with an ivy plant outside her window, believing she will die when the last leaf falls.

• Despite Sue's continued attempts to lift her spirits, Johnsy remains fixated on counting the remaining leaves, seeing them as symbols of her dwindling hope.

• Desperate to help her friend, Sue enlists the help of Behrman, an elderly artist living downstairs. 

• Behrman, learning about Johnsy's morbid fixation on the ivy plant, decides to take action to save her.

• During a storm, Behrman secretly paints a leaf on the ivy plant, giving Johnsy hope to keep fighting for her life.

• The next morning, Johnsy is astonished to see the last leaf still clinging to the vine despite the storm. 

• This sight renews her hope and ignites her will to live, prompting a gradual recovery from her illness.

• After Johnsy recovers, Sue reveals that Behrman died of pneumonia after painting the leaf, having fallen ill from the exposure while creating his masterpiece.

• Johnsy learns that the painted leaf, Behrman's final act of compassion and creativity, was meant to save her life. 

• The leaf becomes a symbol of hope and selflessness, demonstrating the profound impact of Behrman's ultimate sacrifice.

Important Points for The Last Leaf Summary PDF and Notes:

• The story, the Last Leaf is taken from the collection, ‘The Trimmed Lamp and Other Short Stories’ and deals with emotions like hope, despair, grit and success.

• Johnsy and Sue, two young artists sharing a flat, face a crisis when Johnsy falls seriously ill with pneumonia in November.

• Johnsy, convinced she will die soon, fixates on an ivy plant outside her window, believing her life will end when its last leaf falls.

• Despite Sue's efforts and the doctor's advice for a positive outlook, Johnsy remains obsessed with counting the leaves, which she sees as symbols of her fading hope.

• Sue seeks help from Behrman, an elderly artist downstairs, who learns of Johnsy's fixation and decides to intervene.

• During a storm, Behrman secretly paints a leaf on the ivy plant to give Johnsy renewed hope.

• The painted leaf survives the storm, inspiring Johnsy to fight for her life and ultimately recover, despite learning that Behrman sacrificed his life to create it, making it a poignant symbol of hope and selflessness.

Importance of Class 9 English Chapter 7 The Last Leaf Notes PDF:

• The Last Leaf Summary PDF provides a detailed insight into the chapter, and its key points so that students can easily understand what the chapter comprises and its basic plotline.

• The Last Leaf Class 9 is a gritty, dark yet motivating chapter that involves an important anecdote from the lives of the characters. The Notes PDF outline these exact qualities of the chapter.

• Students learn the values of Hope, kindness, friendship and caring tendencies of the characters as portrayed in the chapter.

• The PDF highlights various quirks apart from just the Summary of the Last Leaf such as character sketches, about the author, and more. This all helps students expand their understanding.

• The PDF also helps students gain a complete understanding of the chapter and aligns with the latest CBSE guidelines. As a result, students can be equipped for the examination.

Tips for Learning Chapter 7 English The Last Leaf Summary Class 9

• The Last Leaf Summary Class 9 Focuses on the themes of hope, sacrifice, and the power of art. Reflect on how these themes are developed through the characters' actions and the events of the story.

• Analyse the characters of Johnsy, Sue, and Behrman. Consider their motivations, relationships with each other, and how they change throughout the narrative.

• Explore the symbolism of the ivy plant and the painted leaf. Reflect on how these symbols represent hope and the impact they have on Johnsy's outlook on life.

• Examine the plot structure of the story, including the rising action, climax, and resolution. Consider how O. Henry builds tension and resolves the conflict through Behrman's final act.

• Understand the setting of Greenwich Village in the early 20th century. Consider how the historical context influences the characters' lives and decisions.

• Pay attention to O. Henry's writing style, characterized by witty narration and surprise endings. Analyze how these elements contribute to the overall impact of the story.

• Engage in discussions with peers or teachers about the story's themes, characters, and symbolism. Share interpretations and perspectives to deepen your understanding.

• Consider creating a creative response to the story, such as writing a continuation of the narrative or exploring an alternate ending. This can help you engage more deeply with the material.

Conclusion

"The Last Leaf" by O. Henry concludes with Johnsy recovering from pneumonia, inspired by Behrman's selfless act of painting a leaf to renew her hope. Despite learning of Behrman's sacrifice, Johnsy finds strength in the painted leaf, symbolizing resilience and the enduring power of art. The story underscores themes of selflessness and the transformative impact of compassion, leaving readers with a poignant reminder of the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity through acts of kindness.

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